How could anyone mix my beloved classical music with hard rock and get away with it?

TSO can. They hooked me into getting two of their CDs and attending their next two concerts. And yes, I’ll be there on December 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dunk for their all-new program.

I talked with Derek Wieland, music director and keyboardist for the East Coast cast. It takes two orchestras working their way toward Middle America and Canada to cover the country every night for six weeks with their Christmas show. That’s 110 shows.

Wieland has been with TSO for seven years, three as East Coast director, and he says that although the tour is exhausting, he is having a good time. The accomplished musician has a strong classical background and spent 13 years running a recording studio in New York City.

“The musicians come from all different walks of life,” he said, “rock, metal, rhythm and blues, and opera. They all tell a story and interpret the music, which has an edge to it. It has the power of classical music and the energy of metal. And it works!”

It sure does. The enormous stage is filled with guitars, brass, string instruments, percussion and singers and storytellers. Lasers, lights and a wraparound set envelop you in the music and you are taken to another place.

The pre-rigging team arrives in Providence the day before with 18 trucks and 11 buses. After the show it takes but a few hours to break it down and head for the next show…in this case, Hartford.

The new show is titled “The Lost Christmas Eve.”

“Will you play ‘Beethoven’s Fifth?’” (TSO’s biggest hit, which crossed all genre lines).

“Yes, you can count on it,” Wieland said. “We’ll include some of our classic hits, plus music from our new album.”

This concert has always been a sellout every year, so we’re giving you early warning to get your tickets now.